Dealing with Unsaved Relatives

Sometimes it seems your family is more proud of you when you are in sin....or at least lukewarm with sin. There are people in the Bible whose family wanted them in sin:

Joseph - Ge 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

Abraham - Jos 24:2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

Moses’ Sister - Number’s 12 - The Lord fought for them.

What to do about family and friends who would rather see you in bondage:

Abraham had to separate from his family- Ge 12:1 ¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Abraham & Lot had to separate - Ge 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Abraham was determined to do right.
Lot was given the option.
Lot chose to separate.
Abraham still prayed for Lot (Sodom).
Abraham still helped Lot (Ge 14:16).
But there was no fellowship. When Lot left Sodom he never went to Abram. But had he done that....Abram would have accepted him.

Here is my personal counsel:
1. Be very kind always. Always strive to be close and friendly.

2. Don’t discuss religion with them. There is so much that we CAN agree on that we needn't focus on that which we do not. Keep conversation positive and when it gets negative, leave. Don’t even discuss why you left. If the other person seems the tiniest bit upset, tell then you must go but you’ll talk to them again really soon. This isn’t sweeping it under the rug....this is putting a stop to future fights.

3. Know what you believe and have a Biblical reason (not so you can argue but so that you have a foundation for your own walk.) (Don’t be tossed to and fro or it will not be looked on as convictions.)

4. Walk with God. Pray! Keep your soul right with God. This keeps you from feeling guilty.

5. Work on helping people who will respond positively to your help.

6. Have friends who believe like you. Search it out. Not to argue....but to know who I can have good conversation with. Enjoy your times with those people.

7. Get close to your spouse. At times he will be all you have.

8. Always respect the other person(s) as if they were right and you were wrong.

9. Read your Bible for encouragement. My Bible always encouraged me.

10. Determine to be lonely. The road for a Christian is a narrow one. Not too many walk side by side in a narrow path. Usually you are right in front of someone or right behind someone. But keep walking! Those in front of you help you. Those behind you, you get to help. Its lonely...but the end result will be worth it.

11. Make your mother, father, sister, and brother to be those who do the Father’s will!

Mt 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. I am not saying forsake them. No! Definitely do all you can to keep fellowship. But when it is not possible for their constantly arguing.....let your church family be enough. Christ is All I Need!